Chemeketa Celebrates the Architects of a Networked Economy

The festivities marked ten years of partnership between Cisco and Oregon schools and colleges, training students with essential skills to compete in the global economy

(SALEM, Ore.) - Tracy Rasmussen was working as a secretary, assisting part-time with her husband’s business and raising four children when she enrolled at Chemeketa Community College and became part of the Cisco Network Academy.

“I wasn’t feeling challenged as an individual by all those other things,” said Rasmussen. She was one of several students selected to share her success story at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Cisco Network Academy, held Jan. 31 at Chemeketa Community College.

“Without the Cisco and Chemeketa evening courses I never would have been able to achieve my dream,” she said.

Recently, Rasmussen was one of four students recruited from the Network Academy program by the Oregon State Data Center for a Cooperative Work Experience position. She still hasn’t stopped working her other jobs while she’s working toward completion of her second Cisco certification as a Cisco Certified Network Professional, CCNP.

Governor Ted Kulongowski proclaimed January 31st as Cisco Networking Academy Day. The celebration marked ten years of partnership between Cisco and Oregon schools and colleges to train students in information technology and networking with essential skills to compete in the global economy.

The Cisco Network Academy program delivers Web-based content, online assessment, student performance tracking, hands-on-labs, instructor training and support, and preparation for industry standard certifications.

Chemeketa is home to one of 20 Network Academies in Oregon based in high schools, colleges and universities. To date, the Academies have trained more than 5,000 students throughout the state.

“Of the 650 students that have enrolled in the program at Chemeketa, over 175 have earned certifications as Cisco Cetified Network Associate (CCNA); of those 75 have earned their CCNP certification," said Cheryl Roberts, president of Chemeketa Community College.

"Graduates in the electronics and networking field can typically expect starting salaries of $35,000-$50,000. These high-quality graduates also attract businesses to the state of Oregon.”

Representing the community colleges in the state of Oregon was Cam Preus, commissioner, of the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. “It’s been a challenge for all of us to train and have available the students to meet the high demand.”

Featuring Susan Castillo, Oregon's Superintendent of Public Instruction and Dr. Cheryl Roberts, the President of Chemeketa, in addition to a number of student success stories, the event celebrated the 4,800 graduates that have passed through the state's 28 Academy programs.

Susan Castillo applauded the success of individual students and of all in attendance for taking time to celebrate success. “This is less about institutions and more about students, people and their drive to succeed,” Castillo said.

In addition to thanking Cisco and Chemeketa, students thanked their instructors for holding them to high standards.

“I quit a full-time job with a cell phone company to enroll at Chemeketa in the Network Academy. I didn’t have much money and I had to make this work,” said Matt Camenisch. “It was a wake-up call, I struggled, but working with instructors and fellow students I made it through.” He now works as a junior network administrator.

Josh Wisely, a graduate of the program said, “The Cisco Networking Academy was the most useful, practical and challenging program I’ve ever been part of. I was offered a job even before finishing the academy thanks in no small part to the Cisco skills I was able to demonstrate.

"The skills from the academy perfectly matched the job I stepped in to. My long term goal is to work for a software company offering online services and to manage the operational infrastructure.“

Cisco Networking Academy is a private/ public venture intent on educating the next generation of networking professionals and dramatically increasing the number of students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses both in the state of Oregon and the US.